Dicey Dungeons

Genre: Roguelike / Board Game

Players: 1

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Review:

Dicey Dungeons, released on PC in 2019 and ported to Nintendo Switch in 2020, is a family-friendly game that combines Roguelike and Board Game elements Players take the role of a game show contestant transformed into a die to try their luck in a dungeon raid for cash and prizes. No, it doesn’t make sense, just roll with it (har har har).

The presentation here is lighthearted and decidedly low-tech, with characters represented by simple, colorful 2D art with minimal animation in the sorta’ “made out of paper” style that still manages to be appealing in part because the silly look fits well with the silly theme of the game. This is further enhanced by peppy music that keeps things energetic and fast-paced, even though the gameplay entirely consists of making thoughtful choices in menus.

Speaking of that gameplay, it’s interesting to note that this game comes from Terry Cavanaugh, previously best known for VVVVVV, as this game has absolutely nothing in common with that one, save for having streamlined gameplay. In the case of Dicey Dungeons, that gameplay amounts to something like a cross between Slay the Spire and Yahtzee, of all things.

Players unlock multiple characters through the course of the game, each with their own unique set of skills. In addition to this, every character has a limited number of slots on their screen for cards that contain the abilities they can use in combat. To use these abilities, players must roll dice and then place these dice on the appropriate cards – some abilities require a specific die roll to use, some require players to save up multiple die rolls to use, and some do different things depending on the roll of the die used to activate that ability.

Add in a little Roguelike magic to toss in different enemies and abilities, and you have yourself a pretty clever approach to the genre that makes good use of the variety it has to offer – much like Slay the Spire, one of the joys of Dicey Dungeons is piecing together the ultimate combination of skills to make your character an unstoppable powerhouse, although the uncertainty about what the game will throw at you next keeps things fresh and interesting.

I will say that, while I’m comparing this game to Slay the Spire, it bears mention that I don’t think that Dicey Dungeons has nearly the same level of depth as that game, but at the same time I’d argue that Dicey Dungeons is a far more accessible game that I think people of all ages can enjoy. Also, the port to Nintendo Switch is excellent, making good use of the console’s touchscreen controls in handheld mode, but having solid controls using a gamepad as well, and the pick up and play nature of the game and quick play sessions make it pretty ideal for Nintendo Switch.

It’s hard not to like Dicey Dungeons. It’s one of the most user-friendly and accessible Roguelikes I’ve ever played, easy to pick up and play, yet still with a lot of depth and nuance (although I still definitely give the edge to Slay the Spire). It’s creative without being incomprehensible, has a fun and lighthearted presentation that suits the game well, and overall I think fans of Board Games and Roguelikes will find it to be a delightful combination of the two.

tl;dr – Dicey Dungeons is a family-friendly Roguelike with Board Game elements that plays like a cross between Slay the Spire and Yahtzee. While perhaps not as deep as the former, Dicey Dungeons makes up for it by being highly accessible and easy to play, while still having a fair amount of depth. If you enjoy both genres this game is derived from, you’ll definitely want to give it a look.

Grade: A-

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